Ruapehu District Council roading contractors are due to start their summer work programme on the Ohakune Mountain Rd.
Council land transport manager, Warren Furner, said the council had an "ambitious improvement programme" for the road that should be completed before the ski season began.
New guardrails and road-shoulder support and additional concrete debris barriers would be installed, parts would undergo road renewal and resurfacing, and improvements to the road grade were planned.
"Last year council was successful in having the road retain its Special Purpose Rd status and the 100 per cent road works subsidy that comes with it for the next three years under the NZ Transport Agency's review of the level of financial support it provides to local road work projects."
"It is important that we take full advantage of the road's Special Purpose status and the 100 per cent road works subsidy that comes with it while we still have it.